Endangered Porpoise May Be Close To Extinction

A rare species of porpoise called the vaquita could soon face extinction after new estimates are reported to have put the remaining population at just 12 individuals. Other figures have previously suggested around 30 porpoises might remain.

Found only in the northern part of the Gulf of California in Mexico, the vaquita (which means "little cow") has been under threat from many years, mainly from illegal fishing nets are which used to catch a species of fish called the totoaba.

The swim bladders from the totoaba can fetch thousands of dollars in China where they are used as an ingredient in soup and believed to improve fertility. Despite various attempts to protect the vaquita and reduce the amount of illegal fishing taking place, numbers have continued to decline.